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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Ingredients / Poultry / Chicken / White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 1/21/22Updated: 1/23/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

two white bowls of chili

This White Chicken Chili is rich and creamy, made with tender chicken, hearty beans and lots of flavor. It is the perfect way to warm up on a cold fall or winter night!

overhead shot of two bowls of white chicken chili

What Ingredients do You Need for White Chicken Chili?

Chicken. This is the perfect recipe to use leftover rotisserie chicken. If you are baking chicken for the recipe I prefer to use skinless, boneless chicken breasts. See below for my three favorite ways to cook chicken.

Beans. I use Cannellini beans but White Norther Beans or white beans will also work.

Chili Peppers. I like my chili mild so I use canned green chiles but if you want more heat, add in some jalapeno chili peppers.

Onion and Garlic. Use a white, yellow or sweet onion and minced garlic. Fresh garlic is always best.

Seasonings. The recipe uses a combination of cumin, oregano, chili powder and cayenne pepper. You can play around with the amounts depending on how much spice you want. And of course salt and pepper to taste.

Chicken Broth. I use canned chicken broth but if you have homemade broth please use it!

Cheese. Monterey Jack or even Mozzarella will work.

Sour Cream. For an even creamier broth add this, if you like it less creamy, leave it out. You can also use Greek yogurt.

Oil. Use canola, vegetable or olive oil

Garnish. I like to add some chopped green onion, cilantro and avocado.

ingredients for white chicken chili

How To Make Shredded Chicken

Microwave. This method is quick and easy and takes about 10 minutes depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Depending on the size of your microwave you can do 2-3 chicken breasts at a time.. Find all the details here.

Slow Cooker. If you have time, the slow cooker makes a moist and tender shredded chicken. It takes about four hours on low. If I have to make a large batch of shredded chicken this is the perfect way. Find all the details here.

Instant Pot. This is another great method and I usually do about 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts at a time. It will take about a total of 45 minutes. Find all the details here.

pot of white chicken c hili

How to Make White Chicken Chili Recipe

  • Heat oil in a large pan or dutch oven over medium heat and saute onions until tender.
  • Add in garlic, chili peppers, cumin, oregano, cayenne and chili powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
sautéing onions in pan
  • Puree one can of beans in the blender, drain beans first.
pureed beans in blender
  • Into pot, add in chicken, pureed beans and whole beans. Pour in chicken broth, stir and simmer for 15 minutes.
pot with beans, chicken
  • Remove from heat and add in sour cream and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
adding cheese and sour cream to chili
  • Serve soup garnished with chopped green onion, cilantro and avocado
ladle full of white chicken chili

How Do I Make My Chili Thicker?

The trick to thickening your chili is to puree one of your cans of beans. Drain the beans first and then puree in the blender. Add the pureed beans in with the rest of the beans and it works great. Adding in the cheese and sour cream will also thicken the chili.

Favorite Toppings for White Chicken Chili

  • Additional Cheese
  • Green Onions
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Corn or tortilla chips
  • Additional chopped chilies
  • Fresh lime juice
overhead shot of white chicken chili with toppings

What to Serve with Chili

  • Skillet Cornbread
  • Best Biscuits
  • Easy French Bread
  • Angel Biscuits
  • Jalapeno Cornbread

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dairy free?

For a dairy free version leave out the cheese and the sour cream. If you want to make the soup a little creamier, add in some coconut milk instead.

Can I make this in a crockpot?

Absolutely and here is how:
Add raw chicken breasts to bottom of crockpot.
Top with seasoning, onion, garlic, green chilies and beans (including one can of pureed beans). Stir.
Add in chicken broth and stir again.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Remove chicken from crockpot and shred. Return to slow cooker.
Add in cheese and sour cream and stir. Cook on HIGH for another 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and soup is creamy.

How long will chili last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge it will last 2-3 days.

Can I make it thicker?

White Chili Chicken is traditionally more soup like than chili but if you want to make it thicker, add 1 Tbsp of cornstarch to 1/4 cup of the chicken broth. Add that back into the chili and stir over medium low heat until it thickens. Adding in 4 oz. of cream cheese instead of the sour cream will also make the chili creamier.

white bowls of chicken chili

Can I Freeze Chili?

Chili freezes beautifully.

  1. Freeze the chili before you add in the sour cream and cheese if possible. (you can still freeze it after it is added but you may get a little separation when thawed)
  2. Store in an airtight container or a zippered plastic freezer bag.
  3. Be sure and cool the chili first.
  4. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Try these other delicious recipes:

  • Black Bean Chili
  • Slow Cooker Chili
  • Instant Pot Turkey Chili
  • Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Chili Lime Chicken

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

5 from 3 votes
overhead shot of two bowls of white chicken chili

White Chicken Chili

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
This White Chicken Chili is rich and creamy, made with tender chicken, hearty beans and lots of flavor. It is the perfect way to warm up on a cold fall or winter night!
serves: 8 people
Prep:15 minutes
Cook:20 minutes
Total:45 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp canola oil can also use vegetable or olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 7 ounce chopped green chile peppers canned
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder more to taste
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups shredded chicken
  • 3 15 oz cannellini beans canned and drained (you are going to puree one can)
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • cilantro, green onions, avocado garnish

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large pan or dutch oven over medium heat and saute onions until tender.
  • Add in garlic, chili peppers, cumin, oregano, cayenne and chili powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Puree one can of beans in the blender.
  • Add in chicken broth, chicken, pureed beans and whole beans. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and add in sour cream and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
  • Serve soup garnished with chopped green onion, cilantro and avocado

Tips & Notes:

Dairy Free Version:  Leave out the sour cream and cheese and use 1/2 – 1  cup of coconut milk instead.

Recommended Products

Dutch Oven
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 204kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 4g (1%) Protein: 18g (36%) Fat: 13g (20%) Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 59mg (20%) Sodium: 660mg (29%) Potassium: 310mg (9%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 314IU (6%) Vitamin C: 18mg (22%) Calcium: 158mg (16%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Dish
Cuisine:American
overhead shot of two bowls of white chicken chili
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  1. Jeanette Kraft says

    Posted on 2/3 at 11:38 am

    Best chili ever

    Reply
  2. Florence says

    Posted on 1/23 at 10:24 am

    Not bad. Mine was more like chili soup than a thick chili.

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne Wilkes says

      Posted on 1/23 at 11:18 am

      White Chicken Chili is traditionally more soup like than thick chili like. If you prefer a thicker chili you can thicken it by making a roux with flour, cornstarch and some of the broth.

      Reply

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